Tomas

Tomas was born with a disfiguring cleft lip.  Superstitious friends and neighbors who were frightened by his appearance warned his parents that he would perhaps not survive infancy.  In a small, out-of-the-way place, such can be the mistaken belief of those who have no knowledge of the cause and effects of clefts, but who are looking for explanations.  Fear and avoidance of the one who suffers the defect can cause a life to be lonely and harsh.

Four more children were later born to Tomas's parents, none of them with cleft lips.  Tomas always wondered why he was different from his siblings and his father tried to explain by saying it was God's will.

Living with such an obvious disfigurement is difficult at best, but Tomas could avoid cruel teasing and curiosity by working with his father and not attending school.  He had friends, but they were few and his life was ruled by embarrassment and shame. 

Tomas's father brought him to Huehue from San Pedro Necta, a trip of 4 or 5 hours, but they almost didn't come.  His father couldn't really believe that this surgery would be performed without a charge.  Perhaps the consultation would be free, but surely not the surgery, he thought.  He didn't have money to pay a bill, and to receive this surgery as a gift was too unbelievable to accept as true.  So you can imagine how Tomas and his father felt when they came to understand that the cleft lip surgery would not cost them anything.

On screening day, Tomas caught the attention of all of us because he was the one individual who sat with a scarf in his hand covering his mouth.  Out of more than 70 patient candidates, he was the single one who refused to give us permission to take his photograph.  His actions and demeanor were clear evidence of the humiliation he had endured throughout his sixteen years. 

Tomas was healthy, a good candidate for surgery, and Iowa MOST provided him with life-altering cleft lip repair.  In the night after his surgery, Tomas told his father, "I was reborn!"  The next day he asked that we tell his story, and he is proud to have us show his picture now.  His father heaped blessings and wishes for a long life on Iowa MOST along with promises to go back home and tell others with reservations to come next year.  "I will bring them myself!" he said.  "This is my testimony!"

And so next year, we expect to see others from San Pedro Necta.  Throughout the coming year we will know that Tomas no longer covers his face in shame.  He will make friends, he will go to school, and he will be just like his brothers and sisters.

Such is the change in a life.  Such is the reason for this mission.